Tilahun Kifle

Tilahun Kifle Ergete is a sociologist, urban ethnographer, and evaluation specialist operating at the intersection of urban precarity, subaltern moral economies, and inclusive social policy. As Co-Founder of Social NET Consulting (SNC), he leads strategic initiatives that bridge high-level qualitative methodology with grassroots social transformation, ensuring development programs address the critical gap between technical design and community reality.

His methodological approach is deeply rooted in reflexive ethnography, empowering development actors, NGOs, and civil society organizations to translate complex field realities into actionable, sustainable outcomes. His career spans extensive field leadership across Ethiopia, with technical expertise in peacebuilding, organizational governance, disability rights, and inclusive development.

Tilahun’s commitment to social equity earned him the prestigious Civil Society Leadership Award (CSLA) from the Open Society Foundations in 2017. His work consistently applies a "dual lens"—combining rigorous empirical inquiry with SNC’s guiding principle: "Society is Our Ultimate Priority."

He holds an MA in Sociology and Social Anthropology with a specialization in Global and Urban Studies from Central European University (2019), a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Addis Ababa University (2017), and a BA in Sociology from Adama Science and Technology University (2013).